Chain



Jan. 3o, 1934. Y

CHAIN Filed May 16, 1931 N NIMHNN 2 Sheefcs-Sheet 1 x @MNM H. S. PIERCE Jan. 30, 1934.

CHAIN Filed May 16, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 )TIN e S www@ ZEE; 7 v \d .6. T

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Patented Jan. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES CHAIN Harold S. Pierce, Indianapolis, Ind., assigner to Link-Belt Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 16, 1931. Serial No. 537,842

20 Claims.` (Cl. 'I4-32) This inventonrelate's to a chain and particularly to a chain adapted for use in connection which shafts which are not parallel. One object is to provide a chain which may be used to drive shafts in which relative swinging movement of the shaftsbcc'urs.

The inventionl is illustrated more or less dia.- grammatically in the accompanying drawings, whereinzl Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross section taken through one form of the chain; Figure 2 is a transverse cross section taken at line 2 2 of Figure v1;

Figure 3 is a sectional detail illustrating the bushing;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail taken at line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the bushing, showing it with a link upon it;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of chain; Figure '7 is a transverse section taken at`line 7-7 of Figure l6;

'Figure 8 is a`view similar to Figure 7, showing the chain in bent or swiveled position; K Figure 9 is a sectional of Figure 6; A Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of a further modification;

Figure 11 isa transverse section taken at line 11-11 of Figure l0.

Figure 12 is a section taken at line 12-12 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of a modied form; V

Figure 14 is a transverse section taken at line y14--14 of Figure 13; and

Figure 15 is a longitudinal section taken at line 15-15 of Figure 13.

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

In the form shown in the first five figures, the chain is formed of side bars or link members A, A, which are positioned on a bushing Bn The bushing B is notched or attened/ on one side of each end as at B1, B1 and hollow as shown in the figures, the hollow tapering preferably from the middle B2, so that at its outer ends the perforation through the bushing is larger than at its center. The taper is generally elliptical in shape and thus in one plane the interior of the perforation through the bushing is flat and in another plane it is inclined outwardly. As the chain is assembled, the bushings are so arranged that the tapered portions of each bushing lie along a line drawn transversely through the chain and so that the untapered portions of all the bushings liel along a line drawn longitudinally of the chain.

A straight sided pintle pin C extends through view taken at line 9--9v the sleeve or bushing B and carries at its outer ends side bars or link members D, D. The pintle may have a head C1 as shown and may be secured at its other end by any suitable means, such as a Cotter, rivet orf other member.

In the form shown in Figure 6, the chain is formed of side members E, E which are fastened to bushings E1. The bushings are notched or flattened as at EZ E2. The interior of the bushing is straight sided in one plane and is flared or outwardly inclined in a .plane at right angles thereto, as indicated at E3 in Figures 7, 8 and 9. E4 is a round, straight sided pintle pin upon which link members E5 E5 are1fastened in any suitable manner.

In the form indicated in Figures 10, 11 and 12, side link members F are mounted on a sleeve or bushing F1 which is reduced at Fz and provided with a perforation F3 of a shape other than round. As shown, the perforation has one at side F1 and a rounded side. -Both the at side and the rounded side are straight. Apintle pin F5 lies within the perforation and is straight sided inthe upper and lower planes, as indicated in Figure 1-2, and tapered as at F6 in planes at right angles to the planes of the upper and lower surfaces, as indicated in Figure 12. Link members Frl are fastened on the pintle in any suitable manner.

As shown in Figures 13 to 15, inclusive, link members G are fastened upon a sleeveor bushing G1 which is cut down or reduced as at G2. The bushing is provided with a cylindrical per-S foration. A pintle pin G3 lies within the perforation. It is straight sided on its upper and lower surfaces as indicated in Figure 15, and is tapered from its center outwardly so that its outer ends are narrower in planes at right angles to the planes of its upper and lower surfaces, as indicated in Figures 14 and 15, as at G4. G5 are link 100 members fastened on the pintle pin. They may be fastened there in any mannen/for example, as shown, by riveting over the kends of the pintle.

It will be realized that whereas I have herewith shownand described a practical operative l0. device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts "without departing from the spirit of my invention and I wish, therefore, that my showing be taken as in a sense diagrammatic. Parn ticularly the chain might be of any construction, whetherf cast, forged, built up or made'in any fashion, so long as there is a relation between the pin and sleeve or bushing which allows an angle of relative twist between the two in a plane trans- 115 verse to the main longitudinal axis of the chain and at approximately 90 to the usual direction of thel chain motion and at the same time maintains an approximately continuous bearing between the pin and bushing. This effect is accoml.

plished by providing straight contacting surfaces along the line of pull of the chain and by pro- Vidingtapered or flaring surfaces in a plane situated at approximately 90 to the main longitudinal plane of the chain when straight.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

The chain in any one of its several forms may be used as a drive chain. When so used it may be engaged with a pair of sprockets. One example of such use is as a drive chain for an automotive vehicle in which the chain engages a sprocket on the drive shaft and a sprocket on the axle. The axis of the drive shaft is fixed in position with respect to the vehicle. The axis of the axle is not xed because the axle is supported upon springs or other yielding mountings and as the vehicle moves over a road surface, one wheel isv frequently higher than another and the axle will then be twisted so that although it is frequently parallel with the drive shaft, it is not always parallel. Therefore, the two sprockets, one on the drive shaft and one on the axle about which the chain is positioned, are sometimes parallel and sometimes not parallel with each other. When they are not parallel. there is a tendency to twist or bend the chain. It is one of the objectsAof the present invention to provide means for permitting just such twisting while retaining at all times and in all relative positions a proper contact between the chain elements and the sprocket teeth. Thus the chain may be used in connection with shafts which while sometimes parallel are not always parallel and maymove away from the parallel relation, although it might be said of them that their normal condition is one in which the shafts are parallel.

Another use of the chain is one in which it is used in connection with shafts which are not parallel and are not intended to be.

Whichever use the chains are to be applied to, they are so arranged that a definite limited amount of twist is permitted to each joint so that preferably the total angle of twist in the chain corresponds to the angle between the axis of the two shafts. Thus as each link makes contact with the sprocket tooth, it will be in exactly or approximately its proper angular position and will make little or no adjustment at the time of contact and will thus enter contact on the faces of the wheels in a flat position with relation to them and will provide a continuous bearing along the entire width of contact between the chain and tooth.

Considering the chain illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, it will be seen that the play between the pintle and the sleeve or bushing which surrounds it is caused by the flaring of the bushing. This flaring occurs as shown particularly in Figure 5 on opposite sides of the bushing along `a line drawn transversely through the link, or at the top and bottom of the bushing,

as shown in Figure 5. This flare permits the plished by providing for the' outward Haring of the sleeve or bushing.

In the form shown in Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, there is no roller about the sleeve or bushing and the lrelative twisting movement between the pin and bushing is permitted as in the earlier form by flaring the bushing outwardly as indicated particularly in Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings.

In the form shown in Figures 10 to l2, in-V` clusive, the perforation through the bushing, although not circular, is straight sided. The pin is tapered and thus in this form of the device the relative twisting movement of the pin and sleeve or bushing is accomplished by' tapering the pin rather than by flaring the bushing, as in the other forms of the invention. ,i In the form shown in Figures 13 to 15, inclusive, the pin is generally rounded, being circular at its lcenter and tapered at its ends to permit the twisting.

I claim:

1. In combination in a chain, a plurality ofA links, means for joining them, the joining means including a sleeve and a pin therein, the clearance between the sleeve and pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain as to permit limitedrelative twisting of adjacent links, and being such as to prevent bending in the' plane in which the chain lies.

2. In combination in a` chain, a plurality of pairs of links, means for joining them, the joining means including a sleeve and a pin therein, the clearance between the sleeve and pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain as to permit limited relative twisting of adjacent links, and being such as to prevent bending in the plane in which the chain lies.

3. In combination in a chain, a plurality of pairs of links, means for joining them 4with the ends of adjacent pairs overlapping, the joining means including a sleeve and a pin therein, the clearance between the sleeve and pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain as to permit limited relative twisting of adjacent links, and being such as to prevent' bending in the plane in which the chain lies.

4. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links, means for joining them, the joining means including a sleeve and a pin therein, one of them being elliptical in cross section throughout a portion of its length, the clearance between the sleeve and pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain as to permit limited relative twisting of ajacent links, and being such as to prevent bending in the plane in which the chain lies.

5. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links, means for joining them, the joining means including a sleeve and a pin therein, the sleeve being flared outwardly at its ends, the clearance between the sleevefand pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain as to permit limited relative twisting of adjacent links, and .being suchv as to prevent bending in the plane in which the chain lies.

6. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links, means for joining them, the joining means including a sleeve and a pin therein, the sleeve being flared elliptically outward, the clearance between the sleeve and pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain as to permit limited relative twisting of adja cent links, and being such as to prevent bendlng in the plane in which the chain lies.

7. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links, means for joining them, the joining means including a sleeve and a pin therein, the sleeve being flared elliptically outward, the clearance between the sleeve and pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain as to permit limited relative twisting of adjacent links, and being-such as to prevent bending in the plane in which the chain lies, the major axis of the elliptical portion of the flare extending transversely of the chain.

8. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links, means for joining them together in pairs and for joining the pairs together, to form a chain, said joining means including a sleeve and a pin Within it, the clearance between the sleeve and pin increasing outwardly, the greatest clearance being provided in a line transverse Iof the longitudinal axis of the chain as to prevent relative bending of the links longitudinally of the chain and to permit relative twisting of the links transversely of the chain.

9. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links and means for fastening them together, said means including sleeves and pins therein, each sleeve being fixed in a link, the sleeve being flared outwardly and having its greatest interior diameter adjacent its outer end, the interior diameter of the sleeve in a line transversely of the link being greater than the interior diameter of the sleeve in a line longitudinally of the link, the major axis of the flared portion extending transversely of the link.

10. In combination in a chain, composed of a plurality of relatively movable links, means for joining the links, comprising two interlocking parts, there being a clearance between them, the clearance increasing outwardly toward the edges of the chain, the greatest clearance being in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain.

11. In combination in a chain, composed of a plurality of relatively movable links, means for joining the links, comprising two interlocking l parts, there being a clearance between them,

the clearance increasing outwardly toward the edges of the chain, the greatest clearance being in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain, the clearance in a line generally along the longitudinal axis of the chain being reduced to that suitable for a bearing clearance.

12. In combination in a chain, composed of a plurality of relatively movable links, means for joining the links, comprising two interlocking parts, there being a clearance between them, the clearance increasing outwardly from the center of the chain toward the edges of the chain, the greatest clearance being in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain, the clearance ina line generally along the longitudinal axis of the chain being reduced to that suitable for a bearing clearance.

13. In combination in a chain, composed of a plurality of relatively movable links, means for joining the links, comprising a pin and a sleeve,v the pin lying within the sleeve, there being a clearance between them, the clearance increasing outwardly from the center of the chain toward the edges of the chain, the greatest clearance being in a line transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chain, the clearance in a line generally along the longitudinal axis of the chain being reduced to that suitable for a bearing clearance.

14. A chain comprising a plurality of articulated links, pins and sleeves associated with respective links whereby such articulation is permitted, the aperture in the sleeve adjacent the ends thereof being increased in width in a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the link with which it is associated, the width of the aperture in a direction parallel with the link being substantially constant throughout its length.

15. A chain comprising a plurality of articulated links, pins and sleeves associated with respective links, whereby such articulation is permitted, the pins being tapered toward their ends to provide an increasing clearance along a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chain and being untapered along a plane generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the chain.

16. A chain comprising a plurality of articulated links, pins and sleeves associated with respective links, whereby such articulation is permitted, the pins being tapered toward their ends to provide an increasing clearance along a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chain and being untapered along a plane no generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the chain, the pins being substantially straight along one portion of their exterior.

17. In combination in a chain, composed of a plurality of relatively movable links, lmeans for joining the links, comprising a pin and a onepiece sleeve, the pin lying within the sleeve, there being a clearance between them, the clearance increasing outwardly toward the edges of the chain, the greatest clearance being in a line trans 120 verse of the longitudinal axis of the chain.

18. In combination in a chain, aplurality of links, means for fastening them together, said means including sleeves and pins therein, each sleeve being fixed in a link, the sleeve being flared outwards transversely of the link only, and having its greater interior diameter at its outer ends. I

19. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links and means for fastening them together, said means including sleeves and pins therein, each sleeve being fixed in a link, the sleeve being flared outwardly transversely of the link, the flared portion being generally elliptical in shape, the internal diameter of the sleeve being substantially constant along a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chain.

20. In combination in a chain, a plurality of links and means for fastening them together, said means including sleeves and pins therein, each sleeve being fixed in a link, the sleeve being ared outwardly transversely of the link vand having its greatest interior diameter adjacent its outer end, the internal diameter of the sleeve being substantially constant along /a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chain.

HAROLD S. PIERCE. 

